Melissa Tkautz prepares for her son's huge milestone

Melissa Tkautz is feeling a little sad. Her youngest child Cuba, 5, starts school next year.

While daughter Ayla, 8, is one of those children who adjusted seamlessly to the school environment, Tkautz, 44, can already tell her son may struggle.

"Cuba starts school next year and I'm going to be an absolute mess," she tells 9Honey.

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"We went to orientation day and there were tears rolling down my face," she says. "It's hard to let go, especially with the little one."

The mother-of-two says Cuba felt excited about starting school while trying on his uniform, but may take longer to warm up to the idea, and with the prospect of starting school in sight, has taken to having 'meltdowns' on a regular basis.

"I think he's nervous and apprehensive about starting school," she says. "I think it's going to be really hard for him at first. I just don't think he's as academically there.

"He's going through something really weird at the moment," she says. "He'll be so well behaved, and then have an absolute meltdown."

While she's anticipating the start of the school year to be fraught for her son, the devoted mum is ready to support both of her children in any way she can.

"All you can do is be there to support them," she says. "It will all come together in the end. It always does."

Maybe it's because her youngest child is about to start school, but Tkautz confesses to feeling "clucky" and the moment and longing for a third child.

"I'd love to have a baby," she says. "I'm so clucky I literally stop women in the street."

Although she says she'd prefer to have a baby without having to go through another pregnancy.

"If someone would hand me the baby without the pregnancy and the throwing up for nine months, I'd be there," she says.

Tkautz has had a relatively quiet year, with Real Housewives of Sydney yet to be renewed for a second season, although she is keeping herself busy with various music and acting projects.

She says looking back on her time on Real Housewives, it was "stressful" but "worth it."

"Looking back on it now, yes it was great to do it, it was so different to anything I've done before," she says. "But it was a bit stressful. Overall I'm grateful I did it."

Now that the year is almost over, the actress is focused on Christmas which she says will either be at "my sister's house or mine". They are yet to decide on a location.

"It doesn't really matter whose place it's at," she says. "We all chip in and help. And everyone knows I can't cook to save my life. I can put a salad together."

Then in January the family -- Tkautz, her two kids and husband Kwesi Nicholas -- are headed to Thailand for a nice long break ahead of the beginning of the school year.

Before Christmas Tkautz will be helping raising money for sick kids and their families on behalf of leading Australian charity TLC for Kids.

IFASHION +AID is set to present a night of fashion done differently with Tkautz and Kris Smith as hosts.

The event will be held at the Westin Sydney Grand Ballroom on November 24 at 7pm, with tickets still available.

For those unable to attend, you can make a donation directly to the charity website at TLC for Kids.

This will be Tkautz's second year hosting the event, and she says it's difficult not to get emotional about it.

"Last year I was on stage in front of 700 people and the showed a video of the sick kids and families and I started crying," she says. "It's hard to watch and it makes you realise the whole world isn't living a perfect life. There are parents sitting next to their sick children's beds."

She says TLC for Kids helps the entire family unit cope with an ill loved one.

"They do everything from organising a referral to the right doctors to providing a whole support system," she explains.

The gala event will showcase incredible fashion from designers such as Nicola Finetti, Tacoola & Megan Cannings, with all funds going to TLC for Kids.

"It's such a good night," Tkautz says. "Each year they choose a different children's charity and raise money through fashion. Girls get dressed up, guys get dressed up, and it's all to raise money for a children's charity.

"People are so generous, and have such big hearts," she continues. "It's nice to know people in Australia are willing to give back."

You can purchase tickets to this weekend's event or fashion being featured by visiting the Fashion Aid website.